You love movies. You love games. So one would think that games based on movies are heaven sent.
But one would be wrong. As anyone who is affiliated with video games might know, licensed games are often subpar, usually tailored to little kids or riding on the coattails of a summer blockbuster.
But during the E3 convention this year, Rocksteady Studios unleashed a Batman game titled Batman Arkham Asylum, which seems to be more like Incredible Hulk Ultimate Destruction and the revolutionary Spiderman 2 than Wall-E or Iron Man games.
This game's storyline is not based on any particular movie or comic, and the folks at Rocksteady got the freedom to design their own world and borrow from many elements of the Gotham world.
With amazing graphics, an RPG-like upgrading system for Batman, many detailed villains such as the Joker (very Ledger-esque), Killer Croc, and many more, this game, for the Xbox360, PS3, and PC, appears to be of the caliber of Marvel Ultimate Alliance and the few other comic video game gems.
What's Driving This Trend
- Licensed Video Games
- The success of Batman Arkham Asylum showcases the potential for licensed video games to break free from their subpar reputation and deliver high-quality experiences.
- Original Storylines
- The freedom to design their own world and create original storylines, as seen in Batman Arkham Asylum, offers an opportunity for video games to explore new narratives within established franchises.
- Detailed Villains
- The inclusion of detailed villains such as the Joker and Killer Croc in games like Batman Arkham Asylum highlights the demand for immersive and challenging adversaries in video games.
Who This Affects Most
- Entertainment
- The success of Batman Arkham Asylum demonstrates the potential for the entertainment industry to create engaging and successful video game adaptations of popular franchises.
- Gaming
- The innovative approach taken by Rocksteady Studios with Batman Arkham Asylum presents opportunities for the gaming industry to redefine the quality and perception of licensed video games.
- Comic Books
- The positive reception of Batman Arkham Asylum points to a demand for video games that explore original storylines and characters within the comic book industry.
